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BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum > E90 / E92 / E93 3-series Technical Forums > Suspension | Brakes | Chassis > Alignment - Should it be symmetrical?



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      09-02-2014, 08:06 PM   #1
R608
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Alignment - Should it be symmetrical?

Should the alignment specs be about the same left vs. right? I recently had my car aligned at a new shop and, possibly for the first time ever, was given a nice spec sheet showing exactly what the initial and final numbers were, which I definitely appreciate. What I noticed looking over that sheet, however, is that the camber is significantly different from side-to-side up front (.49-L / .23-R) along with the toe-in being 0.1 degree higher on the right. Rear cambers are much closer, though the toe angles are a bit farther apart. Is that normal to do? It looks like the last show (whose alignment wasn't the best I'd gotten) had done the same kind of thing, though to a slightly lesser extent. I'm thinking it was probably done to compensate for the crown of the road, but it seems like that might have some strange consequences in terms of how the car handles. Should this be bothering me?
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      09-03-2014, 01:25 PM   #2
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not an expert but my understanding :

Symmetry is more important on the rear axle. Lack of symmetry up front can be compensated (toe at least) to some degree by the steering wheel. Not so out back.

Front camber can't be adjusted without pulling the alignment pins.

Measuring with car loaded, even just the drivers weight, can noticeably change the numbers, compared to unloaded.
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      09-04-2014, 10:50 PM   #3
CJ421
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You're fine as long as all specs fall within BMW's specs for your car. A quarter degree difference in camber up front is nothing. Post the alignment sheet if you want us to take a closer look.
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      09-05-2014, 08:10 AM   #4
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Be weary about posting your alignment sheet. I did that, and was attacked by some of the forum scumbags.
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